Hot Reds turn back Blues in Estella Cup
By Jasmine W. Payo
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 01:59:00 02/11/2008
MANILA, Philippines -- Argentine Joaquin Pitaluga came through with key goals in the closing chukkers on Sunday as the Reds turned back the rallying Blues, 10-8, to rule the high-goal match of the Estella Cup 2008 at the Enrique Zobel Field of the Manila Polo Club.
The 22-year-old Pitaluga, making his Philippine debut, showed excellent riding and control to topscore with five goals in the six-chukker match.
Bahar Jefri, the son of Prince Jefri of Brunei, also delivered three goals for the Reds, including the final marker in the last 25 seconds after the Blues had closed in at 9-8.
“We had a really good start, we started stronger than them,” said Pitaluga, who totes a notable handicap of six.
The Blues had a chance to forge a deadlock in the final chukker, but the seasoned Paulito Pierres surprisingly missed on a penalty shot from 40 yards with 2:19 minutes remaining.
Earlier, Manot Montilla sparked an early six-goal spree to lead the Whites past the Blues, 11-4, in the low-goal match.
Montilla, the Whites captain, topscored with five goals, while Jake Zobel added three in the four-chukker contest.
Before their unexpected penalty miss, the Blues threatened at 9-8 behind goals from Pierres and Australian Mark Field.
It was also Pierres, along with the promising Gus Aguirre, who kept the contest close at 4-3 after Jefri had scored two in the Reds’ 4-0 rampage in the first two chukkers.
Pitaluga, who has been playing polo for 15 years, fired three goals in the third chukker to make it 8-6 for the Reds.
Pierres paced the Blues with four goals, while Field contributed three.
Three early goals from Montilla, including two free hits from 30 yards, gave the Whites an early buffer in the low goal contest.
A Jose Constantino shot, followed by back-to-back goals from Zobel in the closing minutes of the first period extended the Whites’ lead to 6-0.
Sonny Borromeo ended the Blacks’ drought, but Alfie Araneta responded three minutes later for a 7-1 Whites advantage.
Anthony Filamor tried to put the Blacks back in the game, but two Montilla goals in the fourth chukker gave the Whites a 10-3 edge.
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